It's a short story guys set in a theatre , so I hope you all like it. Since it is exclusively available only on scrollstacks right now , so please make sure to atleast drop a heart emoji if not for anything more in the comment section.

"Solo seats , shared hearts"

Friday morning arrived, and Charvi woke up, rubbing her palms over her face.

Murmuring her morning prayers, she sighed softly for a moment as the events of the previous night replayed in her mind. Her thoughts were clouded by the conversation she had with her friends, a talk that had weighed heavily on her .

It was a reality check, one that reminded her that not everyone is meant to understand her and that not everyone who claims to be close is truly there for her.

Pushing away those troubling thoughts for a moment, she made her way to the bathroom. The sun shone brighter than usual, casting a warm glow that felt more like the gentle embrace of March's spring than the chilly grip of January winter.

As she dried her wet hair and slipped into a simple full-sleeve top and paired it with black jeans, Charvi glanced at her reflection in the mirror.

A small, almost microscopic smile crept onto her face, a reflection of the strange sense of confidence and happiness that filled her. She felt pretty in her Indo-Western attire, and that realization brought a glow to her cheeks.

Her smile radiated her inner joy, a quiet victory of sorts, as she anticipated the day ahead. Finally, she was going to watch her favorite movie, which was re-releasing in theaters after so many years.

The excitement bubbled within her, and she could hardly contain her elation at the thought of experiencing it on the big screen once again.

That joy , that excitement, that giddyness of watching her favourite movie in cinema in theatres was clearly evident on her face. It was her second visit to the theatre but alone , it was the first time she was going.

She sighed, remembering how she had tried to convince every single one of her friends to join her for the movie, but everyone turned her down. Some were straightforward in their refusals, while others had their own plans or were simply too busy. One by one, they all said no.

What hurt her the most wasn't just the rejections; it was the fact that her very special friends, the ones who meant the world to her, also denied her invitation. They had promised to be there for her, yet instead of support, they made fun of her choice.

This deeply affected her because she was someone who rarely asked for anything from anyone. It was truly upsetting to realize that the first time she reached out for something, it was met with rejection. The disappointment weighed heavily on her heart, leaving her feeling broken and alone.

But still, more than anyone else, she felt bad for herself. She realized how incapable she was of convincing her own friends-the ones she considered family.

Her spirits sank as she glanced at the dull reflection staring back at her. Then, a thought struck her mind. It's her life, she reminded herself. It's okay to be alone sometimes. Some paths must be walked alone, without family or friends.

After all, everyone has their own lives, and it would be selfish of her not to understand their situations. They could genuinely be busy too.

With that realization, a bright smile returned to her face, this time even brighter, shining with the confidence and happiness of knowing she could still enjoy her favorite movie on her own.

Because we all must have read that the most beautiful smile is the one that has struggked through the tears.

AT MOVIE HALL

She stood in the cue behind 2 girls and a guy waiting for her chance to come and with every passing person she felt her heart beat raise.

What if something went wrong? What if they didn't accept her digital ticket? What if she couldn't find her seat? These thoughts clouded her mind as she faced her first experience of visiting alone.

Just as she began to spiral deeper into her worries, a female staff member called out her name, snapping her back to reality. It was her turn to have her belongings checked.

The staff calmly examined her bag, which contained nothing but a jacket she had brought in case the weather turned cold on her way back, along with her wallet , only if they knew. She quickly retrieved her phone to show them her tickets, feeling a mix of anxiety and excitement.

Finally, she passed the first level of her movie adventure. A wave of joy surged through her, and she could hardly contain herself. She felt like jumping for joy, overwhelmed with happiness that she had successfully navigated the security check without any issues.

As she walked toward the main hall, darkness enveloped her surroundings, with only a few lights twinkling here and there and a red carpet stretching beneath her feet. She felt like she had stepped into a fairy tale. The darkness of the hall felt more like a safe haven than anything frightening.

As she moved forward to find her seat, a guard stopped her to ask about her seat number and guide her. Her eyes wandered over every small detail, soaking in the experience as it felt like a dream come true.

It wasn't just a movie theater anymore; it had transformed into a magical fairyland, and she was the queen of this enchanting realm. As she walked up to her chair, she glanced at the people around her, mostly couples, with a few groups of friends scattered about.

She admired every single detail of the hall, running her fingers along the chairs as if she were a child discovering the world for the first time, or someone who had just gained their sight, taking in the beauty of her surroundings.

It was exactly like that for her. As she walked towards the royal seats in the second-to-last row, she finally took her place. Her seat was the second one from the corner. She settled in quietly and gently, like an obedient child, making sure not to make a sound.

Next to her on the right sat a girl who was completely engrossed in her phone screen. At first, she thought about introducing herself and striking up a conversation. However, as she noticed the girl's focused smile while scrolling through her phone, the introvert within her kicked in. Realization hit her that the girl was already busy, and it would be annoying to disturb someone so absorbed in their own world.

Changing her mind about talking, she glanced to her left. The next four or five chairs were empty, a small oasis of space in the bustling hall.

She looked around at the other people, who were either engaged with their partners or friends, sharing laughter and whispers. Very few were absorbed in their phones, making the atmosphere feel vibrant and alive.

The hall was quite empty, as there was still some time left before the movie started. The dim light created a perfect atmosphere for the moment.

Shifting her gaze from the people around her to the screen, which was still black with only a few words flickering across it randomly, she let out a sigh.

Finding nothing exciting to do to pass the time, she pulled out her phone from the pocket of her jeans to scroll through some reels. Suddenly, a video popped up of a group of friends visiting a theater, laughing and having fun while doing silly things. In that moment, a strong urge to close Instagram and tuck her phone back into her pocket washed over her.

After all, she missed them-she missed her friends. Oh, how badly she wanted them to be here with her, to share in this experience and, for once, to be happy with her choice of movie instead of criticizing it.

After all, she wasn't an emotional or romantic fool, but what was so wrong with loving a story that had so much depth? She just couldn't bring herself to hate it.

Another sigh escaped her as she remembered how much she wanted her friends to accompany her here, imagining them experimenting with hiding snacks inside their dresses.

But wait, what? Snacks? Oh yes, snacks! How could she forget about them?

Shaking her head and lightly slapping her forehead for her stupid overthinking, she bent down to touch the ankle of her jeans, checking for something. Lifting it up slightly, she felt relieved to realize that yes, her bottle of cold drink was still there.

Smiling sheepishly after confirming that her bottle of cold drink was safe, she straightened up and glanced around to make sure no one had noticed her little check. With a sense of triumph, she lifted the sleeves of her top up to her elbows, revealing the chocolates she had cleverly secured there with tape. A victorious grin spread across her face at her clever plan.

After ensuring everything was in place, she opened the zipper of her bag and pulled out the box of her glasses. A smirk appeared on her lips as she spotted the mix of namkeen and Kurkure hidden inside like a precious treasure. She had successfully fooled the security, which was the main reason for her anxiety during the security check.

Covering her mouth with both hands, she stifled a laugh, feeling an overwhelming sense of pride in her sneaky victory, one that could have easily landed her in big trouble.

Still, she went ahead with her plan. Of course, she had hidden the snacks there; after all, she had spent her whole life dreaming about how she would sneak treats inside her clothes. She wasn't going to miss this chance just because of her friends. She was here to have fun, and there was no way she would pass up any opportunity to enjoy herself.

It wasn't that she couldn't afford the snacks at the theater or that they were too expensive, but it just wouldn't be as funny to buy them openly. Plus, she couldn't ignore the money she saved by bringing her own.

Once she had settled all her hidden treasures securely in their respective places, she made herself comfortable in her seat. The dim lights of the theater faded away, replaced by a complete darkness that signaled the wait was finally over. The movie was about to start, and her excitement bubbled up inside her.

The screen that had been just black a few minutes ago suddenly lit up, revealing a few figures as the music began to play softly in the background. The cozy atmosphere was transformed, adding a touch of romance that made her heart skip a beat. With the song playing, she felt like the main character in a movie, the loud music perfectly matching the vibe and making the ever-single Kajal dream about her unseen lover.

The bright white glow from the screen cast shadows on everyone present as the title appeared boldly, but then the girl sitting to her right stood up and moved to another seat.

This sudden change made her feel a bit uncomfortable and awkward, as the girl beside her in the darkness had given her a sense of security.

The darkness that had felt comforting and romantic just moments ago suddenly turned cold and frightening for her as the realization of being alone in a crowd struck her.

She scanned the area for three empty seats beside her, hoping to shift to the middle. But before she could rise and make her move, a group of three boys and two girls rushed in, almost running as the movie was about to start.

They took their seats, and she settled back in her place, wishing the girl would sit next to her. To her disappointment, the girl chose to sit one seat away, leaving her beside a boy.

A few sounds echoed around her, pulling her attention back to the screen as she tried to shake off the unnecessary discomfort and irrational thoughts swirling in her mind due to the things, she was warned about from her friends elder sisters.

The flickering images on the screen became her escape, a distraction from the unsettling feeling of isolation in the midst of so many people.

A few sounds broke through her thoughts, drawing her attention as she shifted her gaze back to the screen, trying to shake off the unnecessary discomfort and silly worries.

Focusing her eyes on the movie, she leaned back in her chair and stretched her legs out, immersing herself in the film. Suddenly, she felt a tug on her left foot, causing her to snap her head in the direction of the intruder.

She noticed a boy standing there, signaling for her to move her legs so he could get to the seat next to hers on the right.

Not wanting to make a fuss, she quickly pulled her legs in, creating a clear path for the boy. Once he settled into his seat, she returned her attention to the movie.

As the film progressed, she found herself enjoying it more and more, diving deeper into its story with every dialogue and scene that unfolded before her.

She sat comfortably, resting one arm on the armrest, almost halfway through the movie and enjoying it completely. The pin-drop silence in the theater highlighted the sensitivity of the scene playing out in front of her when suddenly she felt something on her left arm.

It was a strange sensation, like something crawling or someone lightly tracing her skin. Instinctively, she snatched her arm back, fearful of an insect or some foreign object. She squinted into the darkness, trying to find the source of the feeling, but when she found nothing, she turned her focus back to the movie.

Her mind was fully engaged in the film, her eyes glued to the screen, when she felt another sensation on her right arm, sending a shiver down her spine. She glanced at her right arm, only to find the boy sitting next to her, completely absorbed in the movie.

Thinking it might just be her imagination playing tricks on her, she decided to concentrate on the film again, this time keeping her hand close to her side instead of resting it on the armrest.

She was watching the movie, but her mind was now occupied with the strange touches she had felt. Her attention kept drifting to her arm, trying to catch the reason behind those sensations and confirm her suspicions.

True to her doubts, she felt another touch, but this time it was on her shoulder, making it even harder to identify the source.

Scrunching her body more towards the left, attempting to focus on the movie again, though her mind and eyes kept darting back to her arm, waiting for the moment she could pinpoint who was responsible.

But not into seven minutes into the movie, she felt another touch on her arm. This time, she noticed the hand of the boy sitting next to her, his eyes glued to the screen while his hand roamed where it shouldn't. Confusion and discomfort surged within her as she tried to process what was happening.

She glanced at his face more clearly in the dim lightening of the theatre that his face also a had a smile , a dirty one converying his dirty intentions and thoughts makimg her clench her own jaw at the sight of that person.

Shifting more to the other side, she decided not to say anything for two reasons. First, she was the only girl sitting between two boys, and being alone made her nervous.

What if she couldn't prove herself if something happened, and they blamed it on her? She didn't feel anything from the other side yet, but the thought that what if the other guy is also like him , crossed her mind , increasing her anxiety more.

The second reason was the movie playing in front of her. She couldn't create a scene in the middle of it; that would draw unnecessary attention and add to her already uncomfortable experience.

Scrunching herself more to the left, she tried to focus on the movie, desperate to divert her mind. Her thoughts had shifted from excitement and happiness to a whirlwind of worries, and truth be told, none of them were appealing to her.

The vibrant scenes on the screen faded into the background as her mind raced with uncertainty and unease.

Sighing at her never-ending thoughts, she finally eased back in her recliner after not feeling any touch from her right side. Maybe the person next to her had taken her signal and would stop disturbing her.

She breathed a sigh of relief, allowing herself to enjoy the movie again, but that moment of peace was short-lived. Just as she started to relax, she felt a touch again from her right. Anger surged through her, and she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to calm her breath before deciding how to handle the situation and free herself from this unwanted contact.

The touch stirred a mix of emotions within her-an anger that bubbled to the surface and a fear that clung to her heart.

Contemplating whether to address the situation now or endure it until the movie ended, she ultimately decided against confrontation. Instead, she shifted her focus back to the screen, placing her bag between herself and the boy like a makeshift barrier. Her underconfident self held her back from speaking up; the thought of drawing all eyes on her and causing unnecessary chaos during the film was daunting.

Sighing in defeat, she turned her gaze to the screen, her body slumping to the left as her eyes darted between the movie and her left side every few seconds. It was becoming increasingly irritating. She couldn't enjoy the film she had come to see, all because of a boy who didn't know how to behave.

In that moment, anger bubbled within her-not just towards him, but at herself for lacking the courage to address the issue. She felt trapped in a situation that should have been simple, and the frustration gnawed at her, making it hard to focus on anything but the discomfort she was enduring.

She took out her phone, hoping to keep her mind busy and pass the time. She decided she would wait until the interval, after which she could simply change her seat. The constant unwelcome touches were the last thing she wanted to experience here.

Opening her phone, she tapped on a random app that popped up first on her screen, trying to distract herself as the minutes dragged on. However, after a minute, she closed it in frustration; nothing seemed interesting, and nothing worked to lift her spirits.

Her thoughts were racing, filled with everything she felt in that moment. She questioned why she had even come here in the first place. Cursing her decision to attend alone, she realized that staying home would have been far better than enduring such a ridiculous experience.

"I am never going to watch a movie alone again. Never. Ever," she thought to herself, crossing her arms over her chest and sitting up straight. Eventually, her hands moved to her face, covering it as she let out a shaky breath.

She remained in that position, hands on her face, desperately waiting for the interval. Suddenly, she felt a tug on her elbow, making her snap her head to the left. This time, the touch came from the other side, from her left. Sitting up straight again, fully alert, she decided it was time to address the issue. She wanted to warn the boy not to make any more inappropriate moves; experiencing this from both sides was the last thing any girl would want.

Turning to her left, her eyes filled with all the anger she felt inside, she looked at the person beside her. For a moment, her expression went blank as she found him gazing back at her with a soft smile. The unexpected warmth of his smile caught her off guard, momentarily easing her tension.

The soft glow of the screen lights cast a warm hue on his face, making it look almost radiant.

He had a very light beard on his fair olive skin, which made it stand out even more. His mustache was a bit long, and he had a good amount of hair on his head, all neatly combed.

But it wasn't just his appearance that caught her attention; there was something familiar about him, a feeling that she had seen this face somewhere before. This thought made it even harder for her to look away, and she found herself gazing at him without even realizing it.

"Hello," he whispered slowly, breaking their silent staring contest and the tension that filled the air. She quickly diverted her gaze, looking anywhere but at him, her heart racing.

His voice was soft, just enough for her to hear, and as he leaned slightly closer, her heart raced even more. The soft, manly scent of his cologne filled her senses, causing her to close her eyes for a brief moment.

"Relax..." he began, leaning back in his chair and raising his hands slightly in a gesture of surrender, sensing her discomfort. She had closed her eyes, trying to regain her composure, when he added, "I was just asking if you are okay." His tone was gentle, a soothing contrast to the chaos swirling in her mind.

"I mean, is everything alright, or do you have any problems?" he continued after a pause, noticing her frown at his previous sentence. His words seemed to ease her expression, indicating that she finally understood what he meant.

"Umm... yeah, I am okay... why?" she replied, the first thing that came to her mind. Curiosity sparked within her as she wondered why he had asked.

"Nothing... I just asked casually because I saw you holding your head, so I thought maybe you weren't feeling well," he explained, and as he spoke, the realization dawned upon her, her mouth forming a perfect 'O' shape.

Even he couldn't figure out what was so intriguing about her that he couldn't stop himself from checking in. After all, he was here to enjoy the movie and have fun, not to play the role of a concerned stranger.

But deep down, he felt a sense of moral responsibility; every citizen should ensure that the girls around them feel safe. The way this girl was behaving gave him the impression that something was definitely bothering her.

"Oh, it's nothing. I am alright, thanks for asking," she replied, and before she could even realize it, a small, beautiful smile spread across her face as she finally breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that he didn't turn out to be a creep.

Not receiving a more in-depth response from her, he decided not to ask any more questions, wanting to avoid making her feel uncomfortable or annoyed.

Meanwhile, Charvi couldn't shake the thought from her mind. Should she tell him about her problem? Would he listen and help her out? Just as she began to dive deeper into her thoughts, she heard him say, "Okay," before turning his gaze back to the screen.

Charvi turned her face toward the screen as well, shrugging in response to his reply. She wanted to ask him for help, but she quickly decided against it. It felt too awkward to reach out to a stranger, and besides, she didn't want to come off as weak.

Though she could have easily asked to switch seats, coming up with some excuse like not being able to see the screen properly because of her height, her mind betrayed her just like it does for most of us. All those ideas flashed through her mind, but they came at the completely wrong moment.

Shrugging off her thoughts, she glanced at the screen where the song was blasting, the audience swaying to the rock music. Just like everyone else there, she found herself enjoying it. A bright smile spread across her lips as she felt a wave of relief wash over her, grateful that she was safe from any unwanted attention.

For reasons she couldn't quite understand, she felt relaxed and secure, as if having someone nearby made a difference.

Perhaps it was the first time someone had noticed her actions so closely, paying attention to her in a way that made her feel cared for. That simple feeling was enough to brighten her day, despite everything else that had happened.

On the other hand, Kratim let out a bored yawn, feeling the weight of watching a movie whose story he already knew all too well. He could even remember a few of the dialogues.

Although he was here with his sister and best friend, he found himself regretting it more with every passing moment.

The film playing in front of him was making him feel really tired, and as if the scenes weren't enough, the music now playing felt even more monotonous.

Glancing to his left and right, he observed the audience completely engrossed in their screens, enjoying the movie, making him smile softly.

It made him wonder how anyone could find joy in a film like this. But then again, it was their choice; he couldn't judge them. After all, he was one of them, even if his reason for being here was a bit different.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, he looked to his left and spotted a girl who was utterly glued to the screen, as if the scenes would change if she dared to look away. He shook his head at her, a small smile creeping onto his face as he watched her enthusiasm.

Turning his gaze back to the screen, which felt boring once again, he stretched his arms. By mistake, he brushed against someone else's arm, making him jerk his hand back. He instantly turned to the person, only to realize that she was so engrossed in her mobile screen that she hadn't noticed his brief touch.

"Ooh, so maybe I'm not the only one," he thought, his eyes shining with this realization. He glanced at the girl, who was desperately trying to pass the time, her random switching from one app to another showing her restlessness.

Making connections and talking to random people had never been a weakness for him; in fact, it was the easiest task on earth. After all, being the extroverted and laid-back person he was, this skill had served him well during his college days.

Turning to his right, he stretched out his hand for a shake, hoping to grab the other person's attention and start a conversation. However, as he turned, he found her holding her face in her hands. He kept looking at her, unaware of how long he had been staring, as she shifted her position.

It seemed like she was trying to ease her boredom, sliding her hands from her face in a gesture of frustration.

Concerned, he wondered if she was having a tough time. Gathering his courage, he gently tugged on her elbow and asked, "Are you okay?" His voice was soft, hoping to break through the fog of her boredom and connect with her in that moment.

He didn't even realize how long he had been looking at her as she shifted in her seat. Eventually, he thought maybe she was dealing with something and gently tugged on her elbow to ask if she was okay.

As they talked, he discovered that she didn't have any problems, at least according to her reply. But even after that, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more beneath the surface. With no choice but to accept her words, he shifted his gaze back to the screen, trying to immerse himself in the story.

A few minutes passed as he flicked his gaze between the screen and the girl sitting beside him. Yet, for some reason, his mind kept drifting back to her every minute.

Sighing in defeat at his own thoughts, he finally glanced at her again, this time with focused attention. Suddenly, he felt something unusual in his chest, a strange vibration that felt like a flip, leaving him momentarily stunned by the unexpected sensation.

His gaze settled on her face, the soft glow of the screen's light reflecting off her features, illuminating her in the dim surroundings.

He couldn't quite understand what was so captivating about her that he found himself staring as if he were seeing her for the first time, or perhaps with this much intensity.

His eyes wandered to her lips, which she twisted into a pout at one moment before breaking into a gentle smile.

Her lips moved in sync with the movie's scenes, and without even realizing it, his expressions shifted to match the movements of her lips.

Yet, in the midst of this, he noticed how she sighed softly at something on the screen, then scrunched closer to his side while making sure not to touch him at all.

Her expressions hinted at a lingering concern, something that seemed to bother her. He had already tried to ask her about it, but she had brushed it aside, leaving him feeling helpless and unsure of how to break through the wall she had put up.

Realizing he was too drawn into her unspoken troubles, he decided to redirect his attention elsewhere, hoping to escape the thoughts of her and the mystery that was making him restless.

His train of thought was interrupted when he felt a gentle touch on the sleeve of his shirt. Looking up, he found her gazing at him, raising his brows in question. Before he could ask what was wrong, she spoke, but her soft voice was drowned out by the loud music in the background.

Leaning closer to her, he lowered his ear toward her face, trying to catch her words. This sudden closeness made her heart skip a beat, and for a moment, her expression changed. However, she quickly composed herself before he could notice, refocusing on the issue that seemed to weigh heavily on her mind.

After she shrugged him off, she tried to focus on the screen again, but the constant touches continued, and now it was irritating her to the core.

She thought about waiting until the interval, but as his advances persisted, she clenched her jaw, barely able to control her anger. Frustrated, she decided she needed help and finally turned towards her left.

With every passing minute, she realized she couldn't wait any longer-not even for a second. The interval felt like it was taking forever to arrive. Gathering all the courage she had, she hesitated, knowing it was disruptive to interrupt someone in the middle of a movie.

But feeling she had no other choice, she gently pulled the sleeve of the guy sitting next to her on her left, hoping he could help her with the situation.

As he turned towards her, her mind went blank for a moment. Looking at his raised brows and the questioning stare in his eyes, her conscious self forgot what to say.

She still remembered her issue, the reason she had called him over, but it felt as if someone had locked her tongue, and she couldn't utter a word.

"I... umm... you, seat," was all she could manage to say, still lost in the hypnotizing gaze of the boy.

'Buck up, Charu! This is the most ridiculous time to hit on someone,' her inner voice mocked her as she mentally slapped her head for her foolishness. Suddenly, the air around her felt warm, and she noticed a hot breath close to her face. She tilted her head slightly, only to find him leaning in closer, his face near hers , causing her heart to race.

Clutching the fabric of the recliner, she tried to control her chaotic thoughts and cursed her messed-up hormones, realizing her ovulating phase was really taking its toll.

Her heart raced, urging her to continue with a soft hum that carried a hint of eagerness to know how he would respond.

"Umm... I need help," she finally managed to say, feeling embarrassed about how to ask him to exchange seats with her in the middle of the movie.

If anyone else can't understand what's so difficult about asking someone that, trust me, introverts are different. If they could, they would have asked you even before taking the same breath as you, just to make sure you were okay with it.

"Yeah, sure, tell me," he replied, his tone gentle and unhurried. She let out a breath of relief, grateful for his kind response instead of a rude one.

"Are you single?" she blurted out, and the next moment, she squeezed her eyes shut, instantly hearing a shocked "What?" in response. She could see him visibly choke on his breath, and her heart sank.

In a panic, she stuck her tongue out, tucking it between her teeth, and quickly interrupted, "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry! I didn't mean that. Trust me, it was just a slip of the tongue!"

Before he could even respond or reassure her with a simple "it's okay, it happens," she began showering him with apologies, her words tumbling out in a rush.

Finally, he placed his hands on her shoulders, stopping her from spiraling into a flurry of apologies. His grip caught her attention, and she fell silent, feeling not just quiet but numb. She looked at him in a daze, her mouth feeling like someone had zipped it shut, unable to say anything more.

///////////////

"I'm sorry, I'm an introvert. I was just asking if you were here alone or with someone else, but my tongue betrayed me," she pouted, letting out a sigh at the end. He raised one eyebrow, giving her a suspicious look that only made her feel more self-conscious.

"And may I ask why you want to know this?" he replied, suppressing a smile that threatened to break through. For the first time, he found a girl bold enough to approach him instead of waiting for a boy to pick up on the signals and ask her out.

If only he had a clue about the real reason behind her question, all his fantasies would have come crashing down in an instant.

"Actually, I wanted to exchange seats with you...Only ifyouarecomforrtable" (only if you are comfortable)" she added quickly after a pause, keeping his feelings in mind. The teasing smile that had been on his face vanished, replaced by a frown as he looked at her, clearly confused.

"Just one of those things, I don't feel comfortable here," she replied, understanding the meaning behind his expressions.

"But it's okay if you're not comfortable," she added, breaking his train of thought. She hadn't received a reply yet, and he looked at her with urgency. "Oh no, no! I didn't mean that. I have no problem with it. It's just that I'm here with my sister and my best friend. So, will you be comfortable sitting next to my sister?" He glanced at her sister, fully aware of her habit of resting her head on his arm and chatting away.

"Yeah, I have no problem," she nodded quickly, eager to escape the awkwardness and the uncomfortable touches that made her feel worse than she ever had before.

Right now, if he had told her that his seat was torn, she still would have agreed-that's how desperately she wanted to be away from that man.

----

"Thank you," she finally replied, releasing a wavering breath, after switching the seats and sighing in relief as she glanced at the screen before turning back to him.

"It was nothing," he said softly, trying to keep the conversation going.

But his heart sank when she didn't respond further. Instead of saying anything more, she just nodded with a gentle smile and focused on the screen. He wanted to talk to her, just to talk to her-nothing more. He was enjoying the moment, cherishing the chance to know her better.

Though it felt equally weird, what was wrong with finding a crush at a movie theater? The small pink crystal earring dangling from her right ear caught his attention, making him notice her even more. He was captivated by the way she tapped her fingers on her lips while glancing at the movie screen; it made her even more alluring.

"Stupid! Who stares like that? And most importantly, who even thinks like that?" he thought, internally scolding himself for such strange thoughts. But he knew better; it wasn't like he was thinking all this deliberately. It was his mind playing tricks on him, so technically, it should be his mind that deserved the scolding.

Feeling even more foolish for having such a senseless conversation with himself, he shook his head and turned his gaze back to the screen-only to find it had gone black, with the word "INTERVAL" written in bold letters.

Charvi pouted in annoyance as she looked at the screen, then shifted her gaze to the bright, cozy lights that now illuminated the theater, providing just enough light for people to stretch and relax. Just moments ago, she had finally gathered the courage to ask him to switch seats, and now, not even ten minutes later, the interval she had been waiting for over the last 23 minutes had arrived. Cursing her fate, she stretched her arms and turned to her right, only to find him looking at her. But as soon as her eyes met his, he quickly diverted his gaze to his sister, who was sitting just to her left. She was now out cold, resting her shoulder against his, while both his best friend and sister were asleep, making him look at them in utter disbelief.

Charvi followed his gaze, trying to understand the strange expression on his face since they had started talking. Her eyes landed on the two girls sleeping comfortably, and then she glanced back at him.

He was staring at them with his mouth agape, clearly astonished. Unable to hold back any longer, she burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand as she let the laughter escape.

"Can't believe they literally went to my mom to convince me for this movie!" he exclaimed, making her laughter echo in his ears like the sweetest sound he could hear at that moment.

Unbeknownst to him, a smile gradually crept onto his lips as he admired her joyful expression.

"It happens," she replied, finally managing to control her laughter and sitting up straight, earning a playful shake of his head in response.

"Charvi," she said, extending her hand to introduce herself, realizing only now that she hadn't done so before.

"Kratim," he replied, shaking her hand in return while quickly averting his gaze to avoid being caught admiring her.

"Oohh... Nice name!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she smiled, clearly impressed by the uniqueness of his name.

The conversation was completely off! At that moment, even Kratim's mind couldn't come up with a good idea to keep it going, even though he desperately wanted to. He just wanted to keep hearing her voice-nothing more, nothing selfish-but it felt like too much.

Meanwhile, Charvi rubbed her palms together, looking at him with a soft smile that twisted every knot in his brain, making him wish he could somehow break the awkward silence that felt so uncomfortable.

They both averted their gazes, with Charvi glancing around the hall, where everyone else was busy either going out or coming in with snacks.

Kratim pretended to check his phone, though his eyes kept drifting back to her, struggling to concentrate on the screen.

Just then, something clicked in his mind, and he got up from his seat, taking her attention completely.

"Umm... I need to wake them up to fetch the snacks before they end up eating me after the interval," he replied, getting up and moving a bit closer to her side , sensing her frowning gaze on him. She nodded in understanding, tucking the hair that had fallen onto her forehead behind her ear.

He tried shaking his sister and best friend, but to his dismay, both of them were sleeping like they hadn't rested in ages, leaving him dumbfounded as he looked at them.

"I'm warning you guys for the last time, I won't bring anything for you once the movie starts," he said in a no-nonsense tone, well aware of his friends' habits. But they dismissed him again, insisting they would eat after the movie, which made him shrug in resignation.

"Alright... I was going outside. Do you want me to get something for you?" he asked, turning to her this time. He caught her attention; she seemed too lost in her phone until she suddenly looked up, jolted by his voice.

"Ohh... umm... no thanks, I don't need anything," she dismissed him with a soft smile, which earned a nod from him.

"Okay," he shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets and walking downstairs. He kept glancing back at her, hoping she might change her mind, until he nearly lost his balance and almost tripped, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment, just in case anyone noticed.

She sat there, relieved to be free from anyone's gaze, finally revealing her little treasures that she had hidden inside her clothes. Now, she could enjoy them without any instructions or judgment, free from prying eyes.

As she took out the hidden cold drink and twisted off its cap, a soft sound filled the air, releasing the gas from the bottle. At last, she had it, savoring the chill of the drink as it soothed her throat and neck, bringing her a moment of bliss.

She even took out the snacks that she had hidden in her spectacles box, enjoying her low-key meal to the fullest. But her happiness was short-lived. Suddenly, Kratim appeared again, making her eyes widen as she looked at him, dumbfounded. Before she could even hide her stash, he noticed her. Now, trying to conceal it would only mean she was hiding them from him, which was the last thing she wanted. It would make him think she didn't want to share, and that thought made her uneasy. She didn't even know why she cared so much about others' opinions, but as an introvert, what people thought of her mattered a lot.

"Oooh! So you already had a meal?" Before she could dive deeper into her spiral of overthinking, he appeared behind her as he added further ,"Aise akele aksle , not fair yrr!" He said teasing her by pursing his lips into a straight line, not revealing the smirk that was threatening to break free.

"I... ummm... it's nothing, it's... I'm sorry," Charvi stuttered, feeling flustered as she realized he had caught onto her little adventure. Words tumbled out of her mouth without her fully grasping what she was saying.

"Arrrrre, chill," he said, resting a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. But little did he know, that simple gesture sent a jolt of electricity through her body, making her heart race. The layer of clothing she wore felt almost negligible against the sudden rush of warmth.

Misunderstanding the change in her expression as discomfort, he quickly withdrew his hand, muttering a soft "sorry" that she barely caught, her attention too focused on the fluttering in her chest.

"So girls are also daring?" he asked, and to her surprise, this was the last thing she expected him to say. She braced herself for a tease or a judgmental look, but instead, his words hung in the air, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"What?" she jerked her head in his direction so quickly that she almost strained her neck, unable to believe her ears.

"Yeaaah," he began, stepping closer and settling into the chair beside her. "I've rarely seen girls doing such crazy stuff, especially alone. Usually, it's just the boys getting into those kinds of things." He laughed at his own words, relaxing back into his armchair.

"Excuse me?" she rolled her eyes at him, feigning offense.

"Really" he shrugged, extending his hand toward her snacks. Charvi looked at him in utter disbelief, surprised to witness someone being so straightforward with her.

For the first time, it didn't irritate her; instead, it amused her to realize how much she appreciated his honesty.

Still, how could someone be so frank with a stranger, having barely exchanged a simple "hello" or "hi"? she thought.

"C'mon, don't give me that look. You're my friend now," he replied, sensing that she was still in a daze and pulling her back to the present.

"Ooh, so you have the habit of stealing someone's snacks, or am I just special?" she said pulling her snacks back closer to herself.

But before she could fully secure her treasure, he grabbed the box, stopping her in her tracks.

He leaned forward, holding her hand all of a sudden and continuing to lean more closer to her , causing her eyes to widen as she gulped, captivated by the intensity in his gaze and the proximity.

She could feel their breaths mingking causing her heart to race as her stomach flipped with the kinds of thoughts swirling in her mind , but he stopped halting all her thoughts midway as he said, "Guess what?. . . . You are special," giving her a tight-lipped smile before snatching the snack box completely.

Meanwhile, her mind was still stuck on the moment when she heard the word "special" directed at her. She had never heard anyone refer to her as special before. It felt like one of those rare moments in life that she would definitely write about in her diary.

Oh, how amazing it sounded, especially coming from a guy! Now, she could spend all her holidays happily thinking about it. That giddy feeling in her stomach was definitely there. After all, she couldn't deny the fact that he was handsome. And smart too!

Although, she thought he would look even smarter if it weren't for that weird-looking beard on his face. It wasn't that she disliked guys with beards; it was just that on him, the beard didn't quite suit him. In her eyes, his fair skin would shine more without the beard, making him look even sharper and more attractive.

She sensed something stirring in her heart but didn't want to dwell on it too much, fearing she might end up creating a whole story in her mind that would never come true.

Her trance was broken when she felt him lunging for the bottle of cola. Her eyes widened as she held it tightly, hearing him mumble, "kanjoos."

She shook her head at him, finally handing over the cola to him, but not before warning him not to finish it all at once, or else she won't be able to focus on anything else.

"But technically, you are not a stranger," she heard his muffled voice say as he munched on her snacks.

"Why?" she frowned, taking her snacks back and mourning the loss of them. He replied, "Because you know my name, I know your name, and I also helped you switch seats. Though I still can't sense any discomfort, as you mentioned," he added, pulling her back to that sore topic.

"So that means we know each other?" she asked, still puzzled by his response.

"No! We are friends," he replied, shaking his head in denial of her previous statement.

She nodded at his words, not wanting to argue further. There was no harm in letting him consider her a friend, especially since he seemed nice and didn't argue much when she asked him for a favor. Plus, she couldn't resist the charm of his face.

Cleaning their hands with the tissues she had brought from home, they tidied up the mess they had made on their seats before sitting neatly in their places.

The theater was filling up again as people returned, and the movie was about to start when something clicked in her mind.

"By the way, you didn't tell me why you were you back suddenly?" she asked, the thought suddenly popping up.

"Oh, that? I actually forgot my wallet here," he shrugged, wiping his lips with the tissue she had handed him before he snatched it back from her.

Even she didn't know how she let him use her things so easily. Being an introvert, she never really liked sharing things with others.

Her introverted nature had nothing to do with this; it stemmed from the fact that everyone used to take advantage of her whenever they needed something. She could never deny their requests, but the moment she needed anything, they would say no, straightforwardly. To break this cycle, she had decided to stop sharing anything at all.

But for the first time in years, a time she couldn't even properly recall, she didn't feel that odd sensation when sharing with him. Instead, she felt comfort, a sense of homeliness. It was as if someone could have those friendly rights over her that she hadn't experienced before.

"So, you are a teacher?" he asked, gulping down the water from the bottle he had bought. She shook her head in denial, raising her brows in question, wondering how he came to that conclusion.

He pointed at the red pen tucked in her pocket, shining brightly against the black fabric of her pants.

"I am a tutor, so I'll go straight there," she replied, understanding the reason behind his question as she tucked the pen deeper into her pocket, making sure it wasn't visible. He responded with an "Ooh" face, clearly intrigued.

"What class are you in?" he heard her ask as the movie continued again.

"Excuse me! Do I look like a school student? I'm pursuing BCA from the Narendra Institute," she replied, feeling a bit offended. He pursed his lips, pleased that his trick had worked once again.

"I didn't say that," he shrugged, pursing his lips into a thin line, trying to hold back a smile at her silliness, which he found cute.

"And what about you?" she asked, realizing she hadn't asked him the same.

"I am a final year B.Tech student," he replied with a soft smile. She nodded in understanding, but then turned back to him, excitement bubbling up as she exclaimed, "That means we are the same age!"

It wasn't a question, but rather a remark she made after realizing she was also in her final year. She continued, "But you look older."

"Maybe I am older than you, so now show me some respect," he teased, pursing his lips and enjoying the annoyed expression on her face as she narrowed her eyes at him. She opened her mouth to respond, but her attention was suddenly grabbed by the audience, who cheered as the hero proposed to the heroine. She looked at the screen in awe, while Kratim tried his best to find it intriguing.

He waited for the scene to end so they could resume their conversation, but when she still didn't start talking even after the scene was long over, he poked her elbow gently with his finger to grab her attention.

For the first few seconds, she let it slide, thinking he was just trying to irritate her and that he would stop after not getting a response. However, when he didn't stop, she snapped her head in his direction, her jaw clenched and her eyes almost fiery red.

She shot him the most deathly glare he had ever witnessed, which reminded him of the time his mother had made him put a finger on his lips instantly.

"Ha, bas aise hi chup rehna, jab tak movie finish nahi hoti," she replied, her tone more like a warning while she felt a strange sense of pride in herself after making him shutup.

Though her mind wandered to his cuteness at his actions as even she didn't know from where she found the courage to scold a complete stranger.

Maybe it was because they had become quite comfortable with each other by now, despite the short time they had spent together.

"But you were not interested in the movie earlier," he replied, noticing her softer tone, his finger still pressed against his lips. This made her frown, and she asked instantly, "Who said this?"

"No one. But I guessed it since you were doing everything that a disinterested person would do in the theater a few minutes ago," his words made her realize that she had been trying to divert her focus to escape from that creep who had been bothering her.

"Oooh that-" she stopped midway, suddenly aware that she was about to reveal too much about that boy.

It wasn't that she was doing anything wrong; she just didn't want to discuss it at all.

"What?" he asked, sensing her hesitation. She shook her head in denial and turned her attention back to the screen.

His eyes remained fixed on her, unwavering as he held her hand gently before resting it on the armrest. "You can share it if you wish to," he said softly, offering her a sense of comfort and understanding.

He had no idea why he held her hand, trying to make her feel comfortable and behaving so kindly and gently with her, but he did, all while gazing into her eyes. After his mom and the two girls he had come with, he had never acted this way with any other girl. Being frank and a bit of a musketeer was one thing, but showing his caring side was something entirely different.

"Actually..." she began, leaning slightly toward him to make her voice audible. Just then, a strand of her hair fell in front of her face, and as she tucked it behind her ear, he felt his heart skip a beat.

He placed one hand over his left chest, feeling a mix of emotions as he kept his gaze locked onto her eyes and hair.

"The boy sitting next to you . . . At your right , is a creep... he tries to touch me inappropriately," she confessed, her voice trembling with discomfort. She felt dejected and avoided looking into his eyes, instead glancing everywhere but at him as she pulled her hand back.

Meanwhile, the moment he heard those words, a wave of anger surged within him, boiling through his nerves in a way he couldn't even understand. His jaw tightened as he turned to his right, searching for the same guy who seemed engrossed in the movie, acting as if he hadn't done anything wrong.

If it weren't for the girl beside him, he might have doubted that the guy could do such a thing. After all, not all guys are bad, and some boys today are a disgrace to masculinity. But he had come to know the girl on his left well enough to trust her. She wasn't the type to blame someone without a reason.

The urge to leap up and confront the guy was overwhelming. He wanted nothing more than to break the face of the same hands that had tried to touch her. The desire to grip the guy by his collar and shout at him burned within him, making it hard to stay seated.

Unable to control himself any longer, he stood up in a surge of anger and turned toward the guy. But just as he was about to lunge at him and grab him, he felt a warm touch stopping him midway. He turned around to find her standing close, holding his hand gently. Something in her , calmed his senses and made him stop right there at his place.

For a few moments, they locked eyes, letting their gaze communicate what words could not. Then, after a moment, Charvi whispered softly to him, "Please don't... don't create a scene here. I'm better now."

"But you can't just let someone get away with something so heinous. If you don't teach him a lesson, he'll do it to someone else," he tried to reason, his frustration bubbling to the surface. However, the look in her eyes made him sigh in defeat.

He never realized that eyes could convey so much emotion until he saw that pleading look in hers. It was a silent scream for him to avoid making a mess of things, and he understood that it would lead to a barrage of unnecessary questions for her.

They both stood there, lost in each other's eyes, until a few people from behind started shouting, breaking their trance and pulling them back to reality.

Instantly, they sat down in their respective places, feeling a rush of embarrassment as they heard the comments from the crowd. If it had been anyone else, Kratim would have surely confronted them by now, but with her, he felt a giddy blush spread across his face. Hearing his name paired with girls wasn't something new for him; while it had felt strange in the beginning, he had grown accustomed to it over time and usually didn't pay much attention.

But the mere thought of her being associated with him made him blush even more. He bit his lower lip, trying to suppress the redness that was creeping up his cheeks, hoping she wouldn't notice.

He stayed silent, trying hard to focus on the movie, and finally succeeded as he found the climax interesting. However, his gaze kept switching between her eyes and the screen, unable to fully immerse himself in either.

The rest of the time, they remained quiet, with only the sounds of the movie filling the air. But amidst all this, there was something else that he could hear-something so loud and persistent that he couldn't ignore it any longer: his heartbeat.

As the movie approached its end, a strange sense of pain washed over him, accompanied by a wave of worry and anxiousness rising in his chest. He didn't know why he felt this way, or maybe he did but was unwilling to accept it.

Of course, he was aware that he had developed feelings for her, the girl he barely knew. He just wanted to understand it better.

A crush seemed like the right word for what he felt, or perhaps it was infatuation. He was puzzled, caught in a whirlwind of emotions, trying to identify what was happening within him.

He sighed, knowing there was nothing he could do about these growing feelings for the girl he wouldn't see again after this encounter.

He was aware of everything-the situation, the circumstances, the pros and cons-but what he didn't realize was that he wasn't the only one feeling this way.

Her mind was racing too. The way her thoughts kept drifting back to him, making her steal glances from the corner of her eyes, showed that she felt something for him as well. Even if her feelings weren't as strong or certain, he had definitely touched a part of her heart.

After all, the way he made her feel safe and comfortable wasn't something she could easily forget.

Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a shift in the surroundings. She looked around and saw the audience rising to their feet as the dark theater was illuminated by dim lights. The ending song began to play, signaling that the film was coming to an end.

Many people began to leave, while a few stood up, swaying to the beats of the music and enjoying the moment.

Amidst all this, the hearts of two people were pounding so loudly that, if not for the loud music playing in the background and the cheers of the audience, their heartbeats could have easily been heard by everyone around.

While every eye was glued to the screen, their gazes remained locked on each other. They stared deeply into one another's eyes, unable to look away. Something indescribable pulled them together, and in that moment, all the right and wrong things faded away. Every bit of logic and reasoning vanished, leaving only the raw connection they felt.

Without realizing it, they were gazing at each other deeply, in a way that words could hardly capture. It felt like finding a missing piece of a puzzle, like discovering the idols of a temple, like unearthing water in a parched sea, like uncovering love for the unloved.

Everything around them seemed to blur. Right and wrong lost all meaning as their hearts thumped in their chests, desperately wishing time would freeze. They kept looking at each other, as if trying to capture an image that would last forever, a moment to hold onto for a lifetime.

Eventually, the music faded, and one by one, people began to move. Kratim, following the girl he was drawn to, started to walk behind Charvi. Suddenly, something clicked in his mind, and in the next moment, his hand reached for hers, linking their fingers together. He caught her shocked glance, her surprised gasp swallowed up by the chaos of the surroundings.

As she stood up right behind him, following his lead, a shiver ran down her spine when she felt someone grab her hand. She sighed in relief when she realized it was him, but that shiver was quickly replaced by a ticklish feeling in her stomach, and her cheeks flushed warm, causing her to avert her gaze.

In the next moment, catching her by surprise, Kratim swiftly changed their positions, so now Charvi was in front of him, with him standing closely behind her. The sudden shift sent more than just butterflies fluttering in her stomach; it left her in shock.

She turned her head to ask him why he did this, only to find herself breathless when she realized how close he was. They were so near that it felt like a mere moment could bring their lips brushing against each other.

Of course, their lips wouldn't touch like this; the height difference was too significant, with his 5'9" frame towering over her 5'4" stature. But that thought only intensified the vibrations coursing through her body, making her heart race even more.

She felt her stomach flip, making her giddy as she quickly turned her head to the front, taking deep breaths to calm her racing heart before he could notice her in this state. But just as she began to compose herself, she felt him grip both her arms just above her elbows, holding her a little too tightly in a protective way. It made her curse the vibrations coursing through her body while her eyes were still closed, overwhelmed by his presence.

When he leaned in closer, his soft breath brushed against her bare neck, intensifying the situation even more. It was impossible to focus, and she felt as if a swarm of butterflies had taken flight in her stomach.

"Relaxxxxxxx," he whispered, stretching the word out, urging her to calm down. "My sister is ahead of you. You can hold on, and the theater is a bit crowded.

People are almost pushing everyone to get out quickly because someone has gone viral saying the lead cast is here to meet everyone." He lowered himself to her level, his voice soothing, but just then, a sudden push from behind sent him slightly forward, causing his lips to brush against her earlobe. She inhaled sharply, her heart racing even faster.

Her chest heaved up and down as the air around her suddenly felt intensely hot, the AC and the cold weather doing nothing to help. Her mind was so occupied with everything happening that she failed to notice how there wasn't much of a crowd, contrary to what he had told her. The theater was much emptier now, as many people had already left.

He still had no idea how he had come up with such a lame excuse, and she wondered what was wrong with him, with his strange touches and awkward reasons to be close to her. In the next moment, he snatched his hand back, realizing his mistake.

After all, she wasn't blind; she could sense his intentions, and for a moment, his actions felt creepy. Only he knew just how oblivious she was to the world around her at that moment, lost in her own thoughts and feelings.

They stepped outside, and he had released her shoulders long ago, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for the most unexpected moment.

"Byy," she whispered with a soft smile, greeting his friends before taking a different path. He nodded in response, feeling a mix of emotions.

As their paths separated, he found himself unable to do anything but stare at her figure, wishing to hold on to the sight before she disappeared around the next corner. Her back was to him, but his eyes were locked on her, hoping for just one chance to know more about her, even if it was just once.

Just as he was about to lose himself in thoughts of her life, she turned slightly, glancing back at them-especially at him. It felt as if she could sense his longing, and in that moment, she stopped in her tracks, hearing a voice that seemed to echo his silent plea.

"Umm... why don't you join us? We're going for lunch anyway," he heard his female best friend say, feeling a rush of happiness for the first time, grateful for his existence on this planet and in his life.

"Umm... no, it's okay," she tried to decline, but was quickly interrupted by his sister. "You said you were alone here, so we would be happy to have your company." It was his sister who insisted, puzzled by how they had developed such fondness for her that they would request her to stay.

"That's really sweet of you, and I would have loved to stay, but I'm running late," she replied gently, trying not to sound rude while also not wanting to disrupt their family time.

Meanwhile, the smile that had brightened his face was replaced by a grim expression, one he quickly managed to hide, not wanting to draw attention or become part of their serious investigation.

"Alright, just wait here for a few minutes and then I'll drop you," he said, jumping into the conversation. Both his sister and best friend looked at him with raised eyebrows, pressing their lips into thin lines, while she regarded him thoughtfully before responding.

"Oohhh! It's really sweet of you, but I can go. You guys enjoy yourselves," she replied with a bright smile. Despite how much she wanted to join him, it felt too awkward to agree to the formality.

"Umm... alright, as you say... take care," he shrugged, feeling at a loss for words. He decided to keep his feelings to himself, not wanting to let either of them see what he was really feeling.

Of course, he wasn't letting her go that easily. He was determined to find her again, no matter what , but he isn't going to let them know about it.

----

They walked hand in hand toward a McDonald's outlet, eager to treat their stomachs to something tasty. How could they miss out on their favorite pizza?

Pulling out two chairs, he made sure they were both seated comfortably before heading to the counter to place their order.

"Two medium-sized fresh farm pizzas along with three cold drinks," he said as he ordered. The mention of cold drinks reminded him of someone special, and his mind drifted back to the moment he shared with her in the hall.

A small, almost microscopic smile crept onto his face as he completed the payment and turned with the token of their order in hand. But just as he turned around, his jaw dropped in disbelief. There she was, standing at the door, panting slightly, as if she had just rushed over.

For the first few seconds, he just kept staring at her, unable to believe his eyes. He thought it might just be a mirage created by his sudden rush of emotions. But when he saw his sister and friend approaching her, he realized the truth of the moment. She was really there; he wasn't dreaming.

"But you said you had some work," his sister asked as soon as she got seated. Rysha, his best friend, offered her a glass of water, and that was when the question came up.

He slapped his forehead in frustration before turning to her to apologize on behalf of his sister. Then he asked, "Yes, she's right. You said you were getting late. What brings you here now?" He repeated the same question, presenting it in a different way, hoping to understand why she had come.

"Actually, I just found out that my work is postponed, so I'm free now. I thought, why not spend some time with you?" she said, her eyes shining brightly. She was careful not to let them catch her lie while she still took deep breaths to calm down her lungs.

Of course, she couldn't tell them that after she left, a creepy guy had been following her.

Few moments ago

The moment he found her alone, he literally leaped at her, covering her mouth in a secluded area. That part of the mall was forbidden due to closed shops and unresolved issues. She had taken that route to reach the lift quickly, not realizing the danger that lurked in the shadows.

But the moment he held her tightly, covering her mouth so firmly that she struggled to breathe, panic surged through her. She thrashed her legs, desperately hoping for a miracle, praying for someone-anyone-to come to her aid. But to her dismay, no one appeared. Who else would come? More importantly, why would anyone bother? These thoughts clouded her mind as her vision began to blur, the world around her fading as she started to lose consciousness from the lack of oxygen.

It felt as if her life was coming to an end, and it almost did. Just when she thought all hope was lost, she suddenly elbowed him hard in the stomach, catching him by surprise. He stumbled back, and she seized the opportunity to flee. She ran toward the food court, a place that should be bustling with people at any time. As she dashed through the mall, she spotted them through the glass walls and ran to him immediately, relief flooding her heart as she sought safety in their presence.

----

Panting heavily while gripping the handle of the door, she stood there, taking deep breaths after finding him. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she finally felt safe.

"You think of us as fools?" he shouted, and everyone turned toward them, startled by his raised voice. He closed his eyes in defeat, not sure whether it was his anger or the hurt behind that tone.

Of course, he wasn't foolish enough to believe this after hugging her. The moment he spotted her standing there, he felt frozen in place. But before he could walk over to her to make sure she was real, she almost flew toward him, ignoring his sister and best friend, who were there trying to calm her down. She launched herself into his arms, desperation and relief flooding through her as she clung to him tightly.

For the time being, she cared about no one. In that moment, she forgot about everything, even breathing. All she wanted was peace-a sense of safety that could only be found in his arms right there. It was the only place that made her feel secure.

Once she calmed down a bit, they helped her settle into a seat, making sure she was comfortable and offering her water.

Taking the water from Rysha, Charvi gulped it down in quick sips, finally letting out a breath of relief as she placed the bottle back where it belonged. She sighed deeply and wiped her face, feeling a little more composed as they gently asked her about what had caused her distress, though they did so in a roundabout way.

NOW

"You think I am a fool?" she heard him say as she tried once more to lie, trying to protect the man who should have been beaten to a pulp by now. But still, she remained quiet.

Why was she silent? It wasn't like Kratim would suddenly start punching him like in the movies. After all, this was real life, and real life was different from the screen. No one reacted so impulsively in reality, and even if someone did, why would he go to such lengths for her-a girl he barely knew? It would only create chaos, and who would willingly step into unnecessary trouble like that?

Her thoughts were interrupted by his voice. "Charvi, please, come on, tell us what happened to you that made you arrive here panting." His tone was gentler than ever, encouraging her to open up as he placed his hand over hers. That simple gesture melted her heart. With a deep sigh, she finally revealed everything, sharing her story from start to finish.

He didn't know why, but a strange sense of fear began to creep into his nerves. For the first time in many years, he felt scared-terrified that something terrible had happened to her, because her expressions screamed it so clearly.

There was an odd feeling in his chest, a strange pain that wouldn't go away and only grew stronger as she continued her story. His grip on the chair was so tight that he knew it must be leaving marks, but he couldn't help himself. The rising anxiety was overwhelming.

As she recounted the incident, he noticed how his jaw clenched at the heinous act she described. With each passing moment, his hold on her tightened, as if he were trying to provide her comfort and strength to continue sharing her painful experience.

By the end of her confession, his bright, fair skin had turned red, resembling a ripe tomato as he processed the things she had silently endured instead of speaking out.

"You know what? If only you hadn't stopped me at the theater, he wouldn't have had the courage to do this," he said, his voice trembling with intensity as he stood up abruptly, his hunger and everything else forgotten.

The only emotions he felt at that moment were anger, guilt, and regret-regret for not reacting sooner. But there was something else, too, something unfamiliar that he couldn't quite name yet. It was a deep, unsettling feeling, a mix of frustration and an urgent desire to protect her, to make things right.

He stormed away in anger, leaving all three of them worried. Rysha quickly stood up and instructed Kratim's sister to stay with Charvi and support her before she ran after her best friend. She knew all too well the kind of danger Kratim could become when faced with issues like this.

He hated that side of him, and she knew it very well. Just the other day, she had complained about a guy who had been staring at her, making her feel uncomfortable.

The next day, when she went to school, she found out that the boy was absent because someone had beaten him up badly on the way. The thought of Kratim's protective instincts turning violent made her heart race with a mix of concern and fear.

From that time on, she understood him well because his mother had taught him and his sister important lessons.

Her words were clear: "Never make anyone's sister feel uncomfortable because of you or anyone else in your presence. And if someone does that to you, make sure to break their spirit; the rest is my problem." That was how she raised both of her children. The woman herself was like fire. After all, IPS Krashika Bansal is a well-known name in the criminal world.

The boy who was a firecracker during their school days had now become a walking volcano, especially after his martial arts training five years ago for a movie. Although the training had somewhat calmed him down-he rarely got angry now-when he did lose control, no one dared to be around him.

As she walked outside the food court, she quickened her pace even more to find him before he could land himself in trouble and tarnish the image he couldn't afford to ruin, especially at this stage of his career.

The thought of him getting into a fight made her heart race; she knew how fiercely protective he could be, and she needed to reach him before things escalated.

"Ooh God! How come this man runs so fast as if he just disappeared?" she thought to herself, standing almost in the middle of the area after not finding him near the theater.

Wondering where she should look for him next, she paused for a moment before pulling out her phone and dialing his number. Even if he didn’t answer, at least the ringtone of his mobile would help her locate him, since he wasn’t supposed to go too far.

"Someone tell this guy how I’m supposed to find him! By now, he must have run off somewhere!" she muttered, cursing the situation and regretting the moment when she had challenged him, leading them to this chaos.

As she walked toward the other side, searching everywhere for him, she suddenly noticed a group of girls running toward the play area in the basement, shouting that the famous actor 'Krash' was there!

The excitement in the air was palpable, but her heart raced with worry. She hoped he wasn’t caught up in the frenzy, and she needed to find him before things got out of hand.

Her eyes widened as she heard this, and along with the girls, she ran behind them, joining the other people who were rushing to the scene.

"Satyanash!" was the first word that escaped Rysha's mouth as soon as she reached the place, taking in the chaotic scene before her.

She slapped her forehead in disbelief, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside her—pride and confusion battling for dominance. How was she supposed to feel in this moment?

In front of her, her best friend was relentlessly beating that man, his rage evident in every punch.

A crowd had gathered behind him, trying to free the boy from the man’s grip, but they were failing miserably, clearly intimidated by the fury in his eyes.

Rysha's heart raced; she was torn between admiration for her friend’s bravery and concern for the escalating situation.

A broken head, blood oozing from his lips and mouth, swollen eyes, a damaged nose, and a torn shirt—this was the appearance of the boy who was being mercilessly beaten by her best friend. The sight of his condition made Rysha feel a twisted sense of satisfaction as memories of his heinous acts and his dirty intentions flooded back to her.

There was nothing that could make him regret his actions. Not a single ounce of guilt or pain showed in his eyes; instead, all she could see was anger—pure, unrestrained anger that seemed capable of killing.

Looking at his battered state, Rysha realized that if she didn't intervene now, that boy might not survive. While risking one's reputation for someone else's dignity could be justified, taking such an intense and impulsive step was crossing a dangerous line. She felt torn, knowing that her best friend's actions, though driven by a desire for justice, could lead to something far worse than she anticipated.

Thinking quickly, she walked briskly to the front, pushing people aside as she moved. She needed to reach her best friend before something terrible happened. Kratim was consumed by a rage that seemed to have taken over his mind, and it looked like he wouldn’t stop until he had killed that boy.

"Kratim, stop it!" she shouted at the top of her lungs, desperate to break through to him, but it seemed he had become deaf to everyone around him.

Using her presence of mind, Rysha made a decision that felt right for the situation. She dialed a number, hoping and praying that the person on the other end would answer quickly. This was the only person who could reach Kratim now, the one he would listen to in this moment of chaos. As she waited for the call to connect, her heart raced, knowing that time was running out.

----

"Pani pee!" Rysha urged, forwarding the bottle of water to her best friend as he finally seemed to hear the only voice that mattered, the voice that had brought him back to reality.

Charvi stood in front of him, still trembling from the shocking scene she had just witnessed; it was all too overwhelming for her to process.

As Kratim gulped down the water, it helped to soothe his frayed nerves and brought him back to a more practical mindset. With a sudden burst of determination, she threw the half-filled bottle of water onto the floor, splashing it right onto the creep's hands. He winced in pain, the cold shock making him whimper as he lay there, barely able to move.

He growled as he looked at the creep, feeling the anger within him rise again. With a sudden burst of rage, he crushed the fingers of the boy's hands beneath his shoes. Confusion washed over him as he wondered why he had acted like a madman at the sound of Charvi's name. Why did it affect him so deeply? Would he have reacted the same way if it had been any other girl in Charvi's place?

These questions swirled in his mind as he reflected on his impulsive behavior, reminiscent of the reckless teenager he used to be during his early college days. Back then, he had been quick to anger and eager to fight.

But as he matured and focused on his career, he had worked hard to control his aggressive tendencies and avoid unnecessary confrontations. Yet today, when he heard Charvi's name, it felt as if someone had committed a heinous act against him.

His trance of thoughts broke as he heard a hiss, and of course, the only voice that could capture his attention belonged to none other than Charvi. He looked up to find her gripping the handle of the chair he was sitting on, having felt a push from behind.

People began to shove her and those standing in front, crowding closer to him, and he closed his eyes, knowing the reason for the chaos and anticipating what would happen next.

Of course, they recognized him! How could he forget that he had revealed his identity when he removed the fake mustache and beard while heading toward the CCTV room to get the footage instantly?

In the scuffle, his cap had also been knocked off, leaving him exposed in his true form. He was sitting there in front of them, unmasked and vulnerable. The people around him were not blind; they could easily recognize the actor they had come to watch in the movie. The weight of their gazes felt heavy, and he braced himself for the storm that was about to unfold.

He moved his hands to his face, resting them there for a moment to calm his nerves and think of a solution when he felt a poke on his elbow that made him groan and shift his attention.

He looked up, removing his hands from his face, and his gaze landed on his sister, who was pointing towards someone—or rather, somewhere.

"Bhaiiii! Bhabhi . . . I mean charvi di to gyi" (Bhaiiii! Bhabhi... I mean, Charvi di is gone!) she whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the stunned expression on Charvi's face. Charvi stood frozen, her mouth agape, unable to process everything that had just happened.

She was still scared from the scene she had witnessed, and that was the only reason the crowd remained silent, rather than rushing at the famous actor, Kratim Bansal, better known as Kratssh in the Gen Z world.

A small smile crept onto his face as he looked at Charvi, standing there with a horrified expression and a blank face, as if she had just seen a ghost. He knew he had to stand up; the public wasn't going to stay silent for much longer, and he needed to face them all now.

Rising to his feet, he waved his hand at the crowd that had been behind him earlier, now turned to face him. He requested a moment of silence and cooperation, feeling the weight of their gazes on him. With a gentle grip, he took Charvi's hand, catching her completely by surprise. The shock in her eyes was evident as he took a few steps forward, ready to address the audience that was both curious and captivated by the unexpected scene unfolding before them.

"Now bow down and seek forgiveness if you want me to let you go," Kratim shouted at the lying figure of the creep boy, who pleaded for mercy. The boy tried to crawl away, desperate to save his life. But Kratim's voice rang out again, sharper this time. "Not like this! Put your forehead on her feet and promise never to look at any girl with such dirty intentions!" His voice echoed throughout the hall, and everyone present listened intently.

The moment the boy finally nodded in submission, guards quickly moved in and took him away. As expected, he didn’t have time to process what was happening. In the next instant, he found himself surrounded by hundreds of people, as if the entire mall had gathered to witness the scene.

He almost lost his balance, teetering on the edge of chaos, but the audience wasn’t going to let him fall. They showered him with gifts, tossed phones in the air for selfies, and clamored for pictures and hugs. He didn’t even have time to ask them to come one by one. Even if he had, the frenzied crowd wouldn’t have listened.

His guards, fully aware of the intensity of the situation, quickly pulled his sister and best friend out of the throng before they could get crushed. It was his responsibility to keep them safe. After all, he was there because of them. Just moments ago, he had been relaxing in the drawing area, working on a project while balancing his studies for a degree with his acting career, as his mother had instructed.

His first two movies were a hit, but when his third movie didn’t succeed, everything changed. Suddenly, he faced a downfall in his career. Just a year ago, he had received so much love from the audience who watched his film, questioning how such a wonderful movie could flop. That one question led to another, and eventually, the decision was made to re-release the movie.

His sister came up with the idea of going to the theaters to witness the audience's reaction firsthand. His best friend joined her, knowing how scared he was this time. If the movie flopped again, it would tarnish his remaining image, and the role he had finally earned after a year of relentless auditions would be lost. But nonetheless, Rysha, like every other time, encouraged him as a good friend and sister. Because of her support, he found the courage to be there, hoping for a better outcome this time.

His trance of thoughts broke as he heard his phone ring. He picked it up to realize his girls were calling, asking him to get back because their mother wanted to see him after witnessing everything that happened. One of them had shot a video of the scene before posting it on the internet, making him sigh in frustration.

He was about to hang up the call when his sister's next words made his eyes widen in shock. She asked him to bring Charvi as well.

"Isn't she supposed to be with you too?" he asked them, confusion creeping into his voice.

"No, she must be there with you," his sister replied. "We were dragged here by the guards because it was all so crowded."

Now his blood ran cold. How could he find her among the audience? Who even knows if she was still here or if she had already left? No, he couldn't let her go, not now when he had so much to say to her.

Trying to see through the crowd, he let out a frustrated groan before an idea struck him and his eyes shined with excitement as he decided to implement that.

In the next moment, he announced, "Please get my girlfriend here now! She was standing right next to me, but now I can't find her. Her name is Charvi!"

The whole audience erupted in excitement! Of course, who wouldn't want to see the girl who had captured the heart of this charming man, who was literally every girl's first choice right now?

.

.

.

.

.

"So!!! Girlfriend, huh?" his sister teased as they got into the cars with the guards' help, while the audience chased them, shouting his name.

Meanwhile, Charvi, still recovering from the earlier shock, felt another wave of disbelief wash over her when he announced her name as his girlfriend. She felt like she might faint right there. Just then, someone from the audience recognized her from the description he had given and informed him.

He thanked the person while gently dragging her outside, his arms wrapped protectively around her shoulders. She didn’t even move when he held her hand, as if she were frozen in place.

Her mind was a whirlwind, struggling to determine whether this was a dream or real life. Was she imagining all of this, or was it actually happening? It was all too much for her to handle. Her head felt like it would burst from the overwhelming emotions.

Once they settled into the car, he helped her drink some water, a small gesture that brought a moment of clarity amidst the chaos.

Her eyes moved to him as she raised her hand to touch him, tracing his face like she was exploring a beautiful piece of art. She was still unable to recover from the shock while he let her do this, watching her with admiration.

She traced his features—his nose, his eyes—gently touching them like a curious toddler. Then, she moved towards his lips, pinching the skin everywhere to make sure it was all real. He sat there in silence, resting his face on one hand, patiently waiting for her to realize what was happening. Even he was surprised at how much patience he had, but he understood that some things are beyond our control. In the background, he could hear the faint sound of his sister and best friend's laughter, but he chose to ignore it.

However, when her hand started to move towards his neck, he froze for a moment, feeling a shiver run down his spine. It was as if time stood still before he gently stopped her hand midway, while the stiffled giggles both his sister and bestfriend was clearly audible to him.

But even after this, she didn’t stop. She moved towards his face again, squeezing his cheeks like she was a playful child, which made his sister and best friend burst out laughing uncontrollably.

Finally, after indulging in her cute antics, which were only adorable to him but a goldmine of laughter for his friends, he decided to make her drink some water.

He handed her the bottle, gently urging her to take a sip. As the cool water flowed into her system, she finally took a deep breath, reality crashing down on her as she looked around with wide eyes.

"So... girlfriend, haaa!" his best friend teased, her voice ringing out with mockery as both of them turned as red as tomatoes.

Meanwhile, the two maniacs in the back continued to enjoy the scene, laughing heartily holding their stomachs.

"Vaise kitna sahi hua na, Rysha di? Movie ka re-release dekhne aaye the, part 2 banva ke ja rahe hain!" His sister laughed again, her voice playful and teasing, which only made him feel more flustered. Charvi, on the other hand, felt an overwhelming urge to run out of the car. The heat of embarrassment washed over her as she realized just how silly the situation had become.

"Mere bande ka mazak banata tha na tu? Ab dekhti hoon beta, tu kitne acche kaam karta hai," his best friend said, making him roll his eyes in exasperation.

Charvi quickly turned to them, eager to clear up any misunderstandings. "No no, it's nothing like that! You guys know better. Main to mili hi isse, I mean inse pehli baar hoon," she replied, glancing at him and correcting herself as she realized his true identity.

Just then, they interrupted her, "Ohoo, to itna pareshaan kyun ho? Baar baar mil lena, ye kaun sa bhaga ja raha hai?" Their teasing made her tongue-tied, while the two friends enjoyed the scene.

But their fun was short-lived when he spoke up, his tone serious. "Ek kaam karo, Harish uncle aap, inke liye doosri car arrange kar do, zara. Ek car mein chaar logo ko jaana thoda mushkil hoga," he instructed the driver, making them gasp in surprise as he put on his sunglasses, smirking at their reaction.

"Arrr nahi, main chali jaungi," Charvi said, while reaching for the handle of the door, not wanting to burden him with her presence.

Her moment stopped instantly as she felt a touch and turned around to see him holding her wrist. "Ab tum kyun, Miss Over-Understanding ban rahi ho? Main chor dunga naa, baitho chup chap," he said, his voice firm yet carrying an unspoken intensity that words could never fully capture.

Once they were alone in the car, she gathered her courage and asked, "Why did you lie? I am not your girlfriend." It was the first time he heard her voice since she had stepped out of the hall, and it caught him off guard.

"I don't know, maybe because it helped me find you quickly," he shrugged, focusing on driving. His nonchalant tone made her heart sink as she processed his words.

"Of course, what else could be the reason? Why would he be interested in me? He was just there to have fun and enjoy," she thought to herself, humming absentmindedly. Just then, he spoke, grabbing her attention this time. "But won't you like to know why I wanted to find you quickly?"

"Why?" she asked, gazing at his face without blinking, curiosity piqued.

"Because I want them to know about my girlfriend," he replied with a soft smile.

Whatttttttt! Did she hear that right? Her heart stopped for a moment as something clicked in her mind. She instantly turned to him and asked, "And who is your girlfriend?"

"Ask her," he shrugged again, making her groan in frustration at his teasing replies.

"How could I know that?" she asked, barely able to control her annoyance and impatience at the same time. Suddenly, the car stopped, and he turned toward her.

He looked at her with something deep in his eyes and finally replied, "Then be the one to know that."

Nooo! This can't be true! Is it a dream? Am I sleeping? If yes, then please don't disturb me; I don't want to wake up, she muttered in her mind, gazing at him with a blank expression and wide eyes. Just then, she felt him hold her hand, pulling her back to reality.

"Is...is that a proposal?" she asked, stuttering, her heart racing as the weight of his words sank in.

"No! The confession," he continued. "The confession that what you made me feel today is something I've never felt before. The confession that this Kratim Bansal desperately wants to make you his girl and be your man, if you allow him to."

She kept looking at him, unblinking, as he added, "Yrr, dekho, car mein space nahi hai, warna main knees pe bhi aa jata. Par tum, please haa to kr do."

A giggle escaped her lips, mixing with her tears, and in that moment, she launched herself at him. He knew he had found his heroine for the movie called 'life,' because her actions spoke louder than any words ever could.

As they walked into the film of life , he realised that In this theater of life, she’ll always be her favorite scene.

While her heart knew better that he was the the plot twist she never saw coming.